What does the acronym NPDES stand for?

What does the acronym NPDES stand for?

• A. National Pesticide Discharge Elimination System
• B. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
• C. National Pollutant and Discharge Emission System
• D. National Pollution Discharge Emission Standard

Answer: (B)

NPDES stands for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. This is the nationwide permit program under the Clean Water Act that governs releasing pollutants into waters of the United States, by setting permit requirements and conditions for discharges from point sources. The key words show the scope and function: it concerns pollutants, the discharge of those pollutants, and a system designed to eliminate unlawful or excessive discharges. The other options change the meaning by substituting pesticide for pollutant or by adding terms like emission or standard, which are not part of the official name.

NPDES stands for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. This is the nationwide permit program under the Clean Water Act that governs releasing pollutants into waters of the United States, by setting permit requirements and conditions for discharges from point sources. The key words show the scope and function: it concerns pollutants, the discharge of those pollutants, and a system designed to eliminate unlawful or excessive discharges. The other options change the meaning by substituting pesticide for pollutant or by adding terms like emission or standard, which are not part of the official name.